tears soften the view

through the blur of tears

there is the rainbow promise

time to move on

farewell Africa

Canada - here we come.

more goodbyes

I wrote here

when we gave final kisses, belly rubs

and words of farewell

to our sweet dog two weeks ago

two nights ago, Rick dismantled

his aquarium, gifting it and all the fish

to a younger relative

just a part of the series of goodbyes

that we are walking into

and through

the hummingbirds still hover

at feeders that will remain

to be filled with nectar

by the family soon 
to be renting our house

and the cats, three adults

two sets of three kittens

black and white all

will remain, another part of us

roaming the acres, taking refuge

in the barn

things will continue

here, in our absence even if

it feels a bit unsettling

to hand our lives over

to others

all this, and we haven't yet

begun the real work

of saying goodbye to

loved ones

eleven days and counting

the time is

now

sharing at The Grove at Velvet Ashes

 

rest

she lived free

to run, exploring

and defending the acres

that were her home

her only trips away

were to the kennel 

for boarding or the vet 

she went cheerfully to both

with tail wags and licks

always willing to share

her joy in the moment

even the pain that settled

in her bones did not hinder 

her desire to give love

yesterday morning

was no different she jumped 

happy into the backseat

of the car, only surprised

that I chose to climb in beside her

instead of taking my usual place 

in front, next to "the boss"

she didn't know 

it was her last ride

she didn't flinch or complain

when the veterinary assistant

held her back leg so the doctor

could shave through the thick fur

making room for the needle

she was too busy

giving and receiving affection

as we held and stroked her

cherishing each of her sweet kisses

as much as she enjoyed bestowing them

until the lure of sleep

called far too strong

and she lay down her head

breathing peaceful into death

in the same way she lived

with a rhythm all her own

joining Kelli where rhythms are never forced

 

preparing for goodbye

The longest I have ever been away from home

for work, or pleasure, or short term mission

is three weeks, but now

we are in final preparation

for two years in Zambia and Malawi

the fulfillment of dreams brings

packing, paperwork, prayer

and a long series of goodbyes

perhaps one of the most difficult

will be the first, scheduled for Monday morning

my beautiful girl Faith

has grown stiff with age

the brilliant blue of her eyes

fading with years and pain

anti-inflammatory drugs

have given her time

to run, jump, play

enjoying the acreage

that has been her only home

Rick and I her only owners

she has known love

and given love

unconditionally

life has been good

and twelve years long

I cannot bear the thought

that she would continue to ache

or grow confused in our absence

waiting and wondering

when we would return

all this, and then the lumps

appearing at random

beneath her thick fur

forced this impossible decision

Monday morning

we will release her

back to her Creator

holding her paws, as the medicines 

remove the pain permanently

filling her with peace

a peace we can take comfort in

even as it will take longer

to find us

linking up with my friends at The Grove at Velvet Ashes

 

brave goodbye

If you're brave to say "goodbye" 

life will reward you with a 'hello" 

Paulo Coelho

I have captured

in time, the seasons

of the tree at the curve

of our road

I seek courage

for farewells, to greet 

other trees that wait 

just around the curve

of new roads

seeking the stillness with Sandy